Myths, Monsters and Maharajas (Ellen Smart, 1992)
Gajendra, the King of the Elephants, was cavorting with his wives in a lotus pond when he was seized by an aquatic monster. When he could not free himself from the creature's clutches, he prayed fervently to Vishnu, who appeared on Garuda, his sunbird vehicle. Vishnu killed the beast with a hurtled chakra, and Gajendra was freed. In a previous existence Gajendra had been a human king called Indrayumna but had been cursed to be born as an elephant.

The technique of continuous narration shows the story in one frame:

Gajendra is seen as both Gajendra and Indrayumna. The latter stands in the pond, focused in prayer on a Vishnu image. Gajendra's wives toss lotuses about. Garuda hovers while Vishnu aims the chakra. The water creature writhes with the fatal impact.

SASAPA December 2014
The Salvation of the King of the Elephants
Northern India, Bundi; ca. 1770 Opaque watercolor on paper
Gajendra, the King of the Elephants, was cavorting with his wives in a lotus pond when he was seized by an aquatic monster. When he could not free himself from the creature’s clutches, he prayed to the god Vishnu, who appeared on Garuda, his sunbird vehicle. Vishnu killed the beast by hurling a disc at him, and Gajendra was freed. The painting shows the dramatic moment of Gajendra’s rescue but also shows his earlier incarnation
standing in the water, the human king Indrayumna, cursed to be born as an elephant.
Edwin Binney 3rd Collection, 1990.687
Last Updated: 9/5/2017